17 First Responders Graduate from Alexandria Fire Department Training Academy

Page updated on September 19, 2024 at 3:49 PM
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17 First Responders Graduate from Alexandria Fire Department Training Academy

For Immediate Release: January 5, 2023

The Alexandria Fire Department (AFD) officially graduated Recruit School 53 on Thursday, January 5, at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus. AFD welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who spent more than six months in the training academy.

“Attracting candidates to public safety has become more challenging. But these recruits prove that there are highly motivated and talented individuals who want rewarding careers in fire and emergency services,” said Fire/EMS Chief Corey Smedley. “Further, these men and women represent the character, culture and diversity we value and embrace in Alexandria. We are proud of their achievements and excited for our future together.”

City of Alexandria’s Circuit Court Clerk Greg Parks presided over the swearing in during the ceremony after remarks from Mayor Justin Wilson and City Manager Jim Parajon. In her keynote speech, Center for Public Safety Excellence CEO Preet Bassi commended the recruits on their commitment to public service and their impact on the future of the fire and emergency service profession.

In her remarks, Bassi noted that the recruit class had important community-centered training, such as exploring how to operate on the pedestrian-only block in Old Town Alexandria in a responsible manner. “By employing community risk reduction techniques, the Department has assisted in crafting an enjoyable and safe experience for the community,” Bassi said. “These new roles of preventing and mitigating risks rather than only responding to them will be the future of the fire service.”

The new firefighter/EMTs will begin reporting to their first assigned stations starting Saturday, January 21.

For media inquiries only, contact Senior Public Information Officer Raytevia Evans at raytevia.evans@alexandriava.gov or (703) 746-5190.

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This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/4204.

PHOTOS: The Alexandria Fire Department's 53rd Recruit School Graduation

On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy. The graduation ceremony was held at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus.

On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy. The graduation ceremony was held at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
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On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy. The graduation ceremony was held at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy. Firefighter Shelly Freeman served as the MC for the ceremony.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy. AFD Chaplain Captain Nathan Krause provided the invocation for the ceremony.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy. Mayor Justin Wilson provided brief remarks.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy. City Manager Jim Parajon provided brief remarks.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy. Fire/EMS Chief Corey Smedley provided brief remarks and introduced the keynote speaker.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy. Preet Bassi, CEO of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, provided the keynote speech.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy. Fire/EMS Chief Corey Smedley presented the keynote speaker Preet Bassi, CEO of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, with a gift of appreciation.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy. Recruits presented a gift to the Recruit School 53 Training Staff.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy. Friends and family pinned badges on the graduates during the ceremony.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy.
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Alexandria Fire Department welcomed and celebrated 17 new firefighter/EMTs who completed more than 6 months of training at the academy. Circuit Court Clerk Greg Parks swears in Recruit School 53.